The origin of playing cards was in China and dates back to around the year 1120.

Originally, cards were used for fortune telling and gambling. Cards were introduced into Italy and Spain around 1370, probably coming from Egypt. Tarot cards, used for fortune telling, were introduced in Italy in 1440.

The origin of Bridge:

The origin of Bridge can be traced back to a card game 1st played in the 16th century, what was the name of that game?

= "Whist" - The 1st entirely devoted to Whist was written by Edmund Hoyle in 1742